Synthesis and Properties of Photodegradable Poly(furan-amine)s by a Catalyst-free Multicomponent Cyclopolymerization

A series of new photodegradable poly(furan-amine)s (PFAs) were synthesized by a one-pot, catalyst-free, multicomponent cyclopolymerization between diisocyanides, dialkylacetylene dicarboxylates, and aromatic dialdehydes. All polymerizations were conducted in toluene at 100 °C for 6 h without inert gas protection and furnished polymers with a satisfactory molecular weight (M_w up to 32200) and yield. The PFA structure was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques, such as GPC, FTIR, and NMR, as well as by comparison with a model compound. The polymers exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents and thermal stability. All the PFAs had high refractive indices in the visible light region (400 nm to 800 nm). Moreover, the PFAs were substantially degraded by UV irradiation due to the presence of furan rings. The film thickness reduction rate could be over 90%.